Ludhiana once had a unique system for potable water supply, centred around a series of wells that now lie within the Rose Garden, the city’s well-known public park.
Ludhiana once had a unique system for potable water supply, centred around a series of wells that now lie within the Rose Garden, the city’s well-known public park. These wells were connected to a central location, from where water was pumped into pipelines for residents. The system remained in use before and after the Partition.
Interestingly, the wells still exist beneath the Rose Garden, though they have been covered for safety reasons.
Kirpal Singh, Junior Engineer (JE) of the Horticulture Wing and in charge of the Rose Garden, shared with The Tribune that the park once had 24 wells, all providing potable water to the residents.
These wells were connected to a central spot at the main entrance of the Rose Garden, near the College Road side. Water was pumped from these wells through a motor, pushed into pipelines, and then delivered to overhead water tanks, from which it was distributed to homes.
Singh noted that before the area became the Rose Garden, it was just an open space. The foundation for the park was laid in 1969, and it was completed in 1972.
Though the wells once served a crucial role, they became dry over time and were eventually replaced by the modern “tube well system” as the city expanded. Despite this, all 24 wells still remain within the Rose Garden, albeit covered with iron mesh and sealed with round seating arrangements made of cement. These seating areas are now part of the park’s layout, where visitors can relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Manjit Singh, a retired Superintending Engineer from the Municipal Corporation, recalled the old water system, stating that it was likely established during British rule. He explained that compressors were used to pump water from the wells to overhead tanks, which were then connected to household pipelines.
The Tribune
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